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Hypoallergenic dogs don't actually produce fewer allergy-provoking proteins than other dogs, say researchers who put the claims to the test.

Researchers in Detroit analyzed dust samples collected from 173 homes one month after a newborn baby was brought home to check allergen levels from hypoallergenic dogs and other breeds.

Specifically, 60 dog breeds were involved, 11 of them considered hypoallergenic. Researchers found no significant differences in allergen levels in homes where either hypoallergenic dogs or non-hypoallergenic resided, they said in the July online issue of the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy.

"We found no scientific basis to the claim hypoallergenic dogs have less allergen," Christine Cole Johnson, chair of Henry Ford's Department of Public Health Sciences and senior author of the study, said in a release.

"Based on previous allergy studies conducted here at Henry Ford, exposure to a dog early in life provides protection against dog allergy development. But the idea that you can buy a certain breed of dog and think it will cause less allergy problems for a person already dog-allergic is not borne out by our study."

The experiment included had four comparisons:

Purebred hypoallergenic dogs to purebred non-hypoallergenic dogs.
Purebred and mixed breed dogs with at least hypoallergenic parent to purebred non-hypoallergenic dogs.
Purebred and mixed breed dogs with at least one hypoallergenic parent to purebred and mixed breed dogs with no known hypoallergenic component.
Only purebred dogs identified as hypoallergenic by the American Kennel Club to all other dogs.

All four showed no significant differences between hypoallergenic dogs and non-hypoallergenic dogs.

In homes where the dog was forbidden from entering the baby's room, allergen levels were slightly higher in homes with hypoallergenic dogs versus homes housing their non-hypoallergenic counterparts.

The American Kennel Club's list of breeds suited to allergy sufferers includes the Bichon Frise, Maltese, Poodles and Portuguese Water Dog, based on breeds "which usually produce less dander." The group does not recommend or endorse any specific breed.

Thatís really not a great study, finding ďno differenceĒ after only one month really means nothing. Most scientific experiments test the null hypothesis, which means there is no difference between x and y, and most experiments show this, itís a very common finding, but it means little. We donít know what type of dogs they used or their methods of testing the environment. Also, we donít know what type of environment was tested, were windows open most of the time, was a filtering system used in some homes? This was not a closely controlled experiment, so to me it means nothing. My nose and eyes can tell the difference between hypoallergenic dogs and those that arenít!

Thatís really not a great study, finding ďno differenceĒ after only one month really means nothing. Most scientific experiments test the null hypothesis, which means there is no difference between x and y, and most experiments show this, itís a very common finding, but it means little. We donít know what type of dogs they used or their methods of testing the environment. Also, we donít know what type of environment was tested, were windows open most of the time, was a filtering system used in some homes? This was not a closely controlled experiment, so to me it means nothing. My nose and eyes can tell the difference between hypoallergenic dogs and those that arenít!

I have to agree!! I am slightly allergic to dogs. The difference between my yorkies and my cocker spaniel for example makes a huge difference. For example, anytime I groom my cocker or our border collie mix I end up sneezing really bad and will get a rash for a short time. When I groom my yorkies, nothing happens.

"Researchers in Detroit analyzed dust samples collected from 173 homes one month after a newborn baby was brought home to check allergen levels from hypoallergenic dogs and other breeds."

Research is my "schtix" and this study is flawed.
Who knows what those homes were like prior to bringing home a baby? Could have been a garbage dump. And what do they consider and allergic reaction. None of this is clear.

I know many, many folks who can tell you they have had dogs they could not tolerate and then found a breed they could. There are many factors involved and this study is too short and with too many variables to be accepted as the truth.

I'm highly allergic to Pug dogs and others as well, usually the dogs with fur and an undercoat that shed a lot. I'm not allergic to my yorkie. I can cuddle him all day and not have one sneeze or stuffy nose episode. Plus he's always laying on me so you'd think if that study was true I'd be having allergy problems. I will only ever be a mommy to yorkies They are a size I can handle, bigger dogs just wear me out but a 7 pound yorkie is perfect for me.

My mom has no allergies from Bentley (our yorkie) but she is allergic to other dogs. So 2 against one! Ha!

__________________Bentley
Bentley is my angel. I never knew I could love a dog so much, he is truly a miracle.

I have to agree!! I am slightly allergic to dogs. The difference between my yorkies and my cocker spaniel for example makes a huge difference. For example, anytime I groom my cocker or our border collie mix I end up sneezing really bad and will get a rash for a short time. When I groom my yorkies, nothing happens.

I'm the same. When I groomed dogs for the shelter, I could barely breathe afterwards. With Kaji, I get out of breathe once in a while. But that is usually when Kaji is way, WAY overdue for his bath. Maybe a week or so overdue. I physically feel a difference when I'm around chis, poms, golden retrievers, pitties, and yes the yorkies.

My daughter is really allergic to lots of things, dogs and cats high on the list. We got a wheaten terrier 10 years ago and she has done well with her allergies (we keep her out of the bedrooms, off the furniture, no carpets) She has admitted that she has more reactions to Ziva ( the yorkie) than Lucy (the wheaten).

I do agree with Nancy on this one. My son has severe allergies. He has needed shots for them. With Suzi our yorkie he is doing very well. When he goes to my brothers house he has 5 little terrier mixes and he suffers after a visit at their home.
I just do not see that their is enough detailed information in that study to be conclusive . I do know that my son is much better with non shedding dogs.

__________________"No matter how little money & how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich."

No way this is comprehensive. Here's my study. When in a house with a dog with fur, I have allergy attacks. Dogs with hair don't produce the same effect in me. This was a study done over the last 50 years of my life.

Here in my house my husband does normal with our dogs, but he can not even get into a pet store and he will start having reactions. If he only gets near a "pom" his chest start to wheeze and eyes itch, etc...
Science can measure whatever they want, my experience is all i need .
If it was not for these hypoallergenic breeds we could not have the dogs.
I had a guinnea pigg my husband loved when we married, we had to re-home it because of his was getting very sick in the house. he can not deal with cats either .
He is not bothered by the dogs, i mean, not at all .
XOXO

__________________"The reason a dog has many friends is because it wags it's tail instead of it's tong " [I]Smartpuppiepets@yahoo.com /I][

What is it about poms? I grew up with them and had terrible asthma all my childhood. The one that lives in my house is my inheritance,Mom went to a facility and I got the dog. Mom nolonger has asthma! Taffy and I cuddle from a distance and when I groom her I take alot of wash my face and hands breaks. Must be the undercoat that flys around while she is being brushed.

What is it about poms? I grew up with them and had terrible asthma all my childhood. The one that lives in my house is my inheritance,Mom went to a facility and I got the dog. Mom nolonger has asthma! Taffy and I cuddle from a distance and when I groom her I take alot of wash my face and hands breaks. Must be the undercoat that flys around while she is being brushed.

I do not what it is, but for my hubby, Poms and goldens are the worse, he also can not stay near labs and other dogs, but the reaction is not as instant as it is with the poms.
I am Blessed with our dogs, he loves them as much as i ...
XOXO

__________________"The reason a dog has many friends is because it wags it's tail instead of it's tong " [I]Smartpuppiepets@yahoo.com /I][

I think with poms its that thick undercoat and it holds the dander in more. I believe its actually the dander that makes one's allergies act up. With the dogs with no undercoat, they are usually groomed more often hence less dander flying around. Of course, I thought I was allergic to a rabbit we got for our daughters years ago and come to find out, I was allergic to dust and mold (which was in a couch we received as a hand-me-down). But not allergic to any animals - thank goodness!

I have no problem with my yorkie. I am very allergic to dogs that shed and have an undercoat. I can't be without my inhaler. I can't even breathe when I enter a home with a cat. I even react to people who have dog hair and dander on them if they sit next to me. Thank goodness I can love my little boy and breathe!!!!!